Nevertheless, some riders are already familiar with the downhill course from previous Crankworx events. Les Gets, on the other hand, is completely new territory for the cross-country riders, who have to face a completely new challenge. But the biggest question is: how have the athletes survived the rigours of Andorra? Races following challenging World Cups such as Vallnord are often good for surprises. Excitement is guaranteed anyway. Will the French downhillers consolidate their supremacy at their home race? Will Rachel Atherton (GBR) secure her third win of the season? How fit will Mathieu van der Poel (NED) be when he returns to the cross-country stage?
The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2019 with German, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish commentary from 12 - 14 July LIVE from Les Gets and available on-demand anytime and anywhere - only on Red Bull TV!
As usual, Red Bull TV will be broadcasting the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup live and on-demand with German commentary in addition to the English stream. Christopher D. Ryan will be broadcasting the fourth cross-country event of the season on 12 July (XCC) and 14 July (XCO) in the German-language livestream on Red Bull TV commentary. He will be supported in the Olympic discipline on Sunday 14 July by German cross-country legend, Olympic champion and two-time world champion Sabine Spitz. For the German livestream of the fifth Downhill World Cup on Saturday 13 July, Ryan will be joined by former European champion and six-time Austrian national champion Markus Pekoll. The broadcast of the cross-country Short track race starts on Friday, 12 July at 17:20. The broadcasts of the downhill races on Saturday will start at 12:30 pm (Ladies) and around 13:45 (men). The XCO races will be held on Sunday from 12:00 pm (women) and 14:30 (men) live.
The Alpine resort makes optimum use of its available space. The downhill races take place on one side of the valley and the cross-country competitions on the other.
DHI: Who will crash the French party in front of a home crowd?
At around three minutes, the downhill course is one of the shorter ones in the World Cup. It leads over open terrain into the steeper and more technical wood section and finishes with a winding meadow section towards the finish.
The downhill races this season, and especially recently in Andorra, were top-class and hard to beat in terms of spectacle. The same can be expected for Les Gets. The three musketeers Loic Bruni, Amaury Pierron and Loris Vergier (all FRA) are dominating the World Cup almost at will and are aiming for their eleventh victory in the twelfth downhill race at their home race. Will Troy Brosnan (AUS) become a party crasher? The Australian has finished in the top 3 in all races this season and secured victory in the downhill at Crankworx Les Gets in the two previous years. World Cup record winner Greg Minnaar (RSA) has also shown this season that, despite his 37 years, he is far from being an old hand. Austrian David Trummer caused a minor sensation last week. In seventh place, he achieved the best Austrian result in the Downhill World Cup. The 25-year-old will be highly motivated at the start in Les Gets. Danny Hart (GBR) and Brook McDonald (NZL) complete the group of favourites. Aaron Gwin will be missing. The five-time overall World Cup winner has already crashed several times this season, including in training in Andorra, and is recovering from his injuries.
Downhill leader Tracey Hannah (AUS) and downhill queen Rachel Atherton lead the women's field and travel to Les Gets as the top favourites. With her 39th World Cup victory in Andorra, Atherton was able to close the gap to Hannah in the World Cup standings to 60 points. But shooting star Nina Hoffmann (GER) and Marine Cabirou (FRA) could pose a threat to the top duo. Hoffmann has already finished in the top 3 twice and was the fastest in qualifying in Andorra. After three fourth places, Cabirou achieved her best career result with second place in Andorra and wants to confirm her performance in front of her home crowd.
XC: The powerhouse returns
Nino Schurter (SUI) took his first XCO victory of the season in Vallnord and took the lead in the World Cup standings for the first time. However, the Swiss rider will have his hands full repeating his success and retaining the lead as the cycling phenomenon returns to the cross-country stage. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) will be back at the start after his break. It remains to be seen whether van der Poel has maintained his strong early form. The Dutchman won both short track races of the season and the XCO race in Nové Město. In Albstadt, he finished second in the Olympic discipline. Exciting duels are therefore guaranteed. Albstadt winner Mathias Flückiger (SUI) and XCC Vallnord winner Henrique Avancini (BRA) are also in with a chance of winning the XCO. French hopes are pinned on Maxime Marotte and Jordan Sarrou.
There are several contenders for XCO victory in the women's field. The top favourite is Jolanda Neff (SUI). The Swiss rider emphasised at the start of the season that she wanted to be in top form in the second half of the season and underlined this with her impressive comeback in Andorra and second place. Andorra winner Anne Terpstra (NED) is one of the challengers. After her history-making victory, the Dutchwoman is confident going into the race. Anne Tauber also wants to ride the wave of Dutch euphoria. The former speed skater showed at the start of the season that she can keep up with the best. The best so far is Kate Courtney (USA). The reigning world champion had to pay tribute to her high initial speed in the heights of Andorra, but won the first two XCO races of the season in impressive style. Andorra's third-placed Yana Belmoina (UKR) and Jenny Rissveds (SWE) in fifth proved to be on the rise. For the Swedish Olympic champion, the race was a remarkable and surprising return to the world elite after her serious illness, which she overcame impressively (click here for Jenny Rissved's interview!). Elisebeth Brandau (GER) is also good for a top result. The German has already finished seventh in Albstadt and tenth in Vallnord. Can the experienced 34-year-old surprise the favourites with an attack?
Red Bull TV broadcasts the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup live and on-demand, available anytime and anywhere on redbull.tv. The live broadcast starts on Friday, 12 July at 17:20. Further up-to-date information and even more action-packed mountain bike entertainment can be found on the Red Bull Bike Channel at redbull.tv/bike.
Schedule of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Les Gets- LIVE on Red Bull TV:
(all times in CEST, repeats of the live broadcasts will be available immediately afterwards)
Les Gets XCC Women: Friday, 12 July, from 17:20 live on Red Bull TV
Les Gets XCC Men: Friday, 12 July, directly after the women's race live
Les Gets DHI Women: Saturday, 13 July, from 12:30 pm live on Red Bull TV
Les Gets DHI Men: Saturday, 13 July, from 13:45 live on Red Bull TV
Les Gets XCO Women: Sunday, 14 July, from 11:00 am live on Red Bull TV
Les Gets XCO Men: Sunday, 14 July, from 14:15 live on Red Bull TV
